Method and apparatus for producing pleats in curtains and pleated curtains and hanging said curtains using said apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for pleating curtains are described. The apparatus may be provided as a system which includes pleat-forming members and associated fasteners. A curtain is bent into a series of pleats which are secured in position by pleat folding members and associated fasteners. The curtain may then be hung on a curtain rod by a hanging element which couples the pleat-forming members to a curtain rod. The hanging element may form an integral part of the pleat-forming member.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/806,505, filedMay 31, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to curtains and devices for pleating andhanging a curtain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Curtains are a typical means for providing privacy and blockingsunlight, commonly found in the windows of homes, offices, and otherbuildings. Interior designers and individuals decorating their homesoften desire to install or adjust curtain arrangements for aestheticpurposes. A common curtain arrangement is to hang the curtain in such away as to produce regularly recurring folds, or pleats, in the curtain.

Pleats may be formed in a curtain in a labor-intensive andtime-consuming manner that involves sewing folds in the upper edge ofthe curtain, or stitching various types of pleat curtain headings to theupper edge of the curtain. Alternatively, curtains may be purchased thathave pleats professionally pre-sewn in place using special equipment;however, this hampers the flexibility and creativity of the personpreparing a custom window treatment to her or his own personal taste bylimiting the curtain design to the available selection of pre-sewncurtains. What is needed is a device that will enable application ofpleats to non-pleated curtains in a fast and easy manner withoutrequiring professional-level processing or advanced machinery, orfurther machine or hand sewing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus in the form of a curtain pleating system is disclosedproviding a less time-consuming and labor-intensive means for producingpleats in a curtain. A method of using the system and resulting pleatedcurtain structures is also disclosed. According to an embodiment of theinvention, the location of pairs of openings are marked on the curtainfabric. A template, which may be optionally provided, can assist in suchmarking. A flexible stiffener or a pleat cover, optionally provided, isattached to the curtain. Openings are cut through the stiffener orcover, if used, and the curtain fabric. The curtain fabric can be bentor folded to bring each pair of openings to face one another and apleat-forming member, for example, a rod, engages fasteners through eachpair of openings. The pleat-forming members and fasteners hold thecurtain in a series of recurring pleat-shaped curves. The curtain,having pleats formed therein, may be hung by hooking the pleat-formingmembers to a curtain rod. Other embodiments provide additionalmechanisms and methods for holding formed pleats of a curtain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper edge of a curtain with astiffener, pleat-forming members and hangers installed according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a template with holes placed over an edge of acurtain which may be used according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of a template with marking material placed overan edge of a curtain according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2C is a plan view of a pleat-cover overlaying an edge of a curtain.

FIG. 2D is a plan view of a pleat-cover having holes therein overlayingan edge of a curtain.

FIG. 3A is a pleat-forming member with washer-screw fasteners accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a pleat-forming member with washer-nut fasteners according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a pleat-forming member with pop-in bead fasteners accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3D is another pleat-forming member with washer-nut fastenersaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3E is another pleat-forming member with washer-screw fastenersaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3F is another pleat-forming member with washer-screw fastenersaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3G is another pleat-forming member with capped-pin fastenersaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3H is a pleat-forming member with clamp fasteners according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3I is a pleat-forming member with spring-clamp fasteners accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 j is a pleat-forming member having a projection which fits intothe opening of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3K is a pleat-forming member having an enlarged diameter andthreaded holes for receiving fasteners according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3L is another pleat-forming member having a supportive base andthreaded holes for receiving fasteners according to another embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4A is an example of a decorative pleat-forming member having anintegral hooking element according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a second example of a decorative pleat-forming member havingan integral hooking element according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a decorative pleat-forming memberinstalled in a curtain.

FIG. 5A is an example of a pleat-forming member having an integralhooking element configured to receive screw fasteners.

FIG. 5B is an example of a pleat-forming member having an integralhooking element configured to receive capped-pin fasteners.

FIG. 6 is an example of a hole-punching device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to make and use them, and it is to be understood thatstructural, logical or procedural changes may be made.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to an embodiment of theinvention includes a stiffener 30, a set of pleat-forming members 40, aset of fasteners 50 and optionally a set of hangers 60 and a template 10(FIG. 2A). When the stiffener 30, pleat-forming members 40, fasteners 50and hangers 60 are installed on a curtain 15, as shown in FIG. 1, thecurtain 15 is held in a series of pleat-formations and may be hung on acurtain rod.

One or more templates may be provided to mark the locations of pairs ofopenings in the stiffener 30 and/or curtain 15 through whichpleat-forming members 40 are installed. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrateembodiments of suitable templates 10, 10′. Templates 10, 10′ areillustrated as having a rectangular shape but may be provided in othershapes and are not to be limited to the shape illustrated in thedrawings. The templates 10, 10′ may include measurement markings orlines (not shown) to aid the user in achieving precise placement of thetemplates 10, 10′ and may be constructed of cloth, cardboard, paper,tissue paper, plastic or any other suitable material. The templates 10,10′ may be provided in various embodiments to facilitate marking thelocations of pairs of openings in the curtain 15 and/or the stiffener30. A variety of templates may be provided for enabling the creation ofdifferent sizes of pleats.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an example template 10 includes openings 20 throughwhich a user may mark attachment locations in the curtain 15 orstiffener 30, for example, using a pen or a marker. After inscribing theattachment location marks in the curtain 15, template 10 may be removedand the user may cut openings or punch holes in the curtain 15 and/orstiffener 30 in accordance with the inscribed marks.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second example template 10′ according to a secondembodiment. Template 10′ includes marking substance 20′ for markingattachment locations on the curtain 15. For example, in one embodimentmarking substance 20′ comprises colored wax, which melts uponapplication of heat. The user employing this embodiment aligns thetemplate 10′ on the curtain 15 and applies an iron or similar heatingtool to alter marking substance 20′ to transfer to the curtain 15appropriately attachment location marks in curtain 15.

The stiffener 30 may be used to provide the pleat framework and holdsthe curtain 15 in the desired shape. Preferably, the stiffener 30 isflexible to allow easy attachment to a curtain and bending to form thepleats. Any number of suitable materials having a sturdy but flexibleconstitution may be used for construction of the stiffener 30, includingbut not limited to cardboard, plastic, buckram, or stiff, woven ornon-woven fusible or non-fusible fabric. The stiffener 30 should beattached to a hanging side of a curtain 15, as shown in FIG. 1. Thestiffener 30 may be attached in various ways, for example but notlimited to, sewing, gluing, fusing by heat application or stapling. Thestiffener 30 may include openings which are in accord with the markings20, 20′ of the template 10, 10′, or the stiffener 30 may be constructedof a material through which the user may easily create openings.

In one embodiment, the template 10, 10′ and stiffener 30 may be combinedinto a single element which may be attached to the curtain 15, havingopenings or indicators of proposed opening placements included therein.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 2C, stiffener 30 may be replaced byor covered with a pleat cover 35 folded over an edge of the curtain.Pleat cover 35 may comprise a woven or non-woven fabric or othersuitable covering material. The pleat cover 35 may be created at apredetermined length equal to length of a curtain so that its ends arealigned with the end of the curtain 15 when installed, or may be createdhaving a longer length to be cut by the user to the appropriate length.Attachment location marks may be placed on the pleat cover 3 using atemplate in the manner described above relating to the stiffener 30.FIG. 2D shows a pleat cover 35 including attachment location marks orholes 25 similar to those described regarding stiffener 30. In yetanother embodiment stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35 can be omitted and acurtain itself can be folded directly into pleats or have a folded overportion at an upper end to provide more body to pleats formed there.

After the stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35, if used, is installed, or anupper section of the curtain is folded over, if used, the curtain 15 isbent into a series of pleat-shaped or S-shaped formations by bringingeach attachment location to face an opposing attachment location 32.Opposite ends of each pleat-forming member 40 may be placed facing apair of attachment locations 32. FIGS. 1, 3A-3G and 3J-3L show thepleat-forming members 40 as rods having ends which engage holes createdat the attachment locations in the stiffener 30 and/or pleat cover 35and curtain 15. A fastener 50 is attached to the ends of the rods 40through the holes, thereby securing the stiffener 30 and the curtain 15in the series of pleat-shaped formations, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3G and 3J-3L show various example embodiments of pleat-formingmembers 40 a-40 g, 40 j-40 l and fasteners 50 a-50 g, 50 j-50 l forengaging with the pleat-forming members 40 a-40 g, 40 j-40 l. FIGS.3H-3I show example embodiments of a pleat-forming member having attachedclamps 50 h, 50 i for holding pleats formed in a curtain in place. Itshould be understood that the invention is not limited to thepleat-forming member/fastener combinations illustrated and that theinvention encompasses any and all equivalent devices capable of securingthe curtain 15 in pleat-shaped formations and providing a support basefrom which the curtain 15 may be hung.

Fastener embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A-3G and 3J-3L include washersand/or supportive bases. The fasteners 50 a-50 g, 50 j-50 l function bypressing a washer tightly against another washer or a supportive base,compressing the curtain 15 and stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35, if used,in between the washers and thereby distributing the force (due to theweight of the curtain) that is applied to the opening in the curtainover a greater area. This helps prevent the curtain 15 from tearingaround the openings 32 (FIG. 1) when hung.

FIG. 3A shows a pleat-forming member 40 a having opposed supportivebases 44 a and a threaded hole 43 a for receiving a screw 53 a andwasher 52 a (collectively fastener 50 a) which may be used to secure thestiffener 30 and curtain 15 to the end of the pleat-forming member 40 asuch that the curtain 15 and stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35, if used,are prevented from expanding back to a flat position, thus preservingthe pleats in the curtain 15. The stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35, ifused, and curtain 15 material is compressed between washer 52 and thesupportive base 44 a.

FIG. 3B shows a pleat-forming member 40 b having threaded ends 42 b forreceiving and attaching to washers 52 b, 55 b and nut 51 b (collectivelyfastener 50 b) which may be used to secure the end of the pleat-formingmember 40 b. The stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35, if used, and curtain 15material is compressed between washers 52 b, 55 b.

FIG. 3C shows a pleat-forming member 40 c having an accompanying pop-inbead fastener 50 c which passes through a curtain opening to engage withpleat forming member 40 c. The pop-in bead fastener 50 c includes aprojection 47 that fits within an opening 45 in the pleat-forming member40 c. This embodiment may be easily constructed of plastic andfacilitate a quick installation of the pleat-producing kit.

FIG. 3D shows a pleat-forming member 40 d having attached supportivebases 54. An appropriate fastener 50 d for member 40 d could include anut 51 d and a washer 52 d. This embodiment functions similar to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3E shows a pleat-forming member 40 e having non-threaded ends 42 ethat include a threaded hole 43 e. The illustrated fastener 50 eincludes a screw 53 e and two washers 52 e, 55 e for securing thepleat-forming member 40 e to the curtain 15 and stiffener 30 or pleatcover 35, if used.

FIG. 3F shows a pleat-forming member 40 f having threaded holes 43 f forreceiving a screw 53 f. In this embodiment, the screw 53 f is insertedthrough washer 52 f, through the curtain, and stiffener 30 or pleatcover 35, if used, and through the washer 55 f.

FIG. 3G shows a fastener 50 g including a capped-pin 53 f and washers 52g, 55 g. In this embodiment, the curtain (not shown) need not includeholes, as the capped pin 53 f may be driven directly through the curtainand stiffener 30 or pleat cover 35, if used, and inserted into the pleatforming member 40 g. Pleat-forming member 40 g includes a channel 43 gwhich snugly receives capped-pin 53 f and secures it in place wheninserted. Preferably, channel 43 g is of a diameter that appliessufficient pressure to capped pin 53 f when inserted to secure the pinfrom being forced out by the opposing pressure of the curtain 15, yetaccommodates forcible removal of capped pin 53 f such that capped pin 53f may be inserted or removed by a user as required.

FIG. 3H shows a pleat-forming member having attached clamp fasteners 50h for securing an integral pleat-forming member 40 h to the curtain. Inthis embodiment, no holes need be formed in the curtain, and stiffener30 or pleat cover 35, if used. The curtain need only be folded into thepleat shape which is held in place by the clamps 50 h and pleat-formingmember 40 h. The clamps 50 h are illustrated as common clothing clamps,for example, found on clothes hangers. These types of clamps are wellknown and may operate by way of pressing the clamp jaws 59 h shut andsliding a holding mechanism 56 h down into place to secure the clampshut. Other clamping structures, such as a spring-clamp 50 i havingclamp jaws 59 i shown attached to pleat-forming member 40 i in FIG. 3Imay also be used as clamps. A user squeezes tabs 58 i on spring clamp 50i to open clamp jaws 59 i, which are then attached to the curtain, andthen releases the tabs 58 i when the jaws 59 i are properly positionedon the curtain.

Additional alternative fastener embodiments are shown in FIGS. 3J-3L.FIG. 3J shows a pleat-forming member 40 j having a projection 47 j thatfits within an opening 45 j of a fastener 50 j. This embodiment isessentially an inverse of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3K shows a pleat-forming member 40 k having an enlarged diametersuch that the ends of the pleat-forming member 40 k provide supportivebases for fastener 50 k. In this embodiment, only one washer 52 k isneeded for securing the pleat-forming member 40 k to a curtain andstiffener, or pleat cover 35, if used. The enlarged pleat-forming member40 k provides an opposing supportive base for the fastener 50 k.

FIG. 3L shows a pleat-forming member 40 l having a supportive base 54 lon either end. In this embodiment, fasteners 50 l are inserted throughholes in the curtain, stiffener, or pleat cover and secured within athreaded hole 43 l.

Any of the above described pleat-forming members 40 a-40 l may also beconfigured as adjustable length telescoping members having structure forholding the adjustable length member at an adjusted position to allowfor creating pleats of different sizes.

The system according to the invention may optionally include grommets 65(FIG. 1) for insertion within the openings 32 (FIG. 1) for bolsteringthe same, and also optionally may include a standard device forinstalling the grommets (not shown). The use of grommets 65 wouldprovide an alternative supportive frame for the openings in the curtain15, decreasing the risk of unwanted tears forming in the curtain 15around the holes. A kit that includes grommets 65 could include apleat-forming member 40′ and fastener 50′ as shown in FIG. 3B, omittingwashers 52, 55.

The system according to the invention may further optionally include ahole punch device for punching holes in the template, stiffener,curtain, or pleat cover described above. The hole punching device may beany of various conventional hole punching devices, for example, holepunching device 100 illustrated in FIG. 6, and will not be describedfurther here.

Referring back to FIG. 1, pleat-forming members 40 in the form of rodsare shown installed, providing support segments from which the curtain15 may be hung. Hanging devices 60 are used to hang the curtain 15 froma curtain rod (FIG. 4C) and may be optionally provided. The hangingdevices 60 are illustrated as C-shaped rings for convenience only,hanging devices 60 of different shapes may be used, including but notlimited to S-shaped hooks, J-shaped hooks, linked-rings, single rings,rings with insertion slots, rope/wire loops or the like.

Hanging device 60 and a pleat-forming member 40 may be combined into asingles element. FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5B each show an embodiment of acombined hook/pleat-forming member 70, 70′. FIG. 4A shows a figure of abasketball player, for example, suitable for use in hanging a curtain ina child's room. FIG. 4B shows an candy-cane figure, for example,suitable for use during Christmas holiday seasons. Other decorativeembodiments may be used. The combined hook/pleat-forming member 70, 70′includes a hanging section 75, 75′ for hanging the curtain 15 from a rodand a pleat-forming section 80, 80′ having opposed ends 82, 82′ forpassing through holes in the stiffener 30 and curtain 15, as shown inFIG. 4C. Hooking section 75, 75′ is illustrated as a hook-shapedelement, but may be constructed as any of the hanging devices 60described above or in any equivalent manner. Pleat-forming section 80,80′ may be constructed in accordance with the above description ofpleat-forming members 40 a-40 e and may use fasteners 50 a-50 e or anyother suitable structure for fastening the pleat-forming section 40 tothe stiffener/curtain openings.

For example, if the pleat-forming section of the combinedhook/pleat-forming section 70, 70′ were equivalent to the pleat-formingmember 40 b and fastener 50 b combination (FIG. 3B), then washer 55 bwould allow additional compression of the pleats and prevent the pleatsfrom expanding along the pleat-forming section 70, 70′ axis of thecombined hook/pleat-forming section 70, 70′. Washer 52 b and nut 51 bwould be used in combination to secure the stiffener 30 and curtain 15to the end of pleat-forming sections 80, 80′ so that the stiffener 30and curtains 15 are prevented from expanding back to a flat position,thus preserving the pleats in the curtain 15. Similarly, if the combinedhook/pleat-forming section 70, 70′ were equivalent to the pleat-formingmember 40 a and fastener 50 a (FIG. 3A), or to 40 c and 50 c (FIG. 3C),then their function and structure would be as discussed previously forthese respective pleat-forming member/fastener combinations. FIGS. 5Aand 5B, for example, show non-decorative embodiments of combinedhook/pleat-forming sections 70 using the capped pin fastener 50 g andwashers 52, 55 (FIG. 5A) and screw fastener 50 f and washers 52, 55(FIG. 5B).

FIG. 5C shows an embodiment of a combinable hook/pleat-forming section85. In this embodiment, a separable pleat-forming section 80 isinstalled within a closed hooking section 87, compared to the openhooking sections shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Pleat-forming section 80 maybe any of the above described pleat-forming sections. Closed hookingsection 87 may optionally include additional structural bases 90 tofurther bolster the pleat-forming section 80 and supportive bases 88 fora selected fastener embodiment. Screw fasteners 53 f and washer 55 areshown, however, any of the above described fasteners and associated endstructure of the pleat forming member may be used in conjunction withthis embodiment.

While embodiments have been described in detail, it should be readilyunderstood that embodiments of the invention are not limited to thedisclosed embodiments. Rather the embodiments can be modified toincorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions orequivalent arrangements not heretofore described.

1. A curtain pleat-producing system, comprising: a set of pleat-formingmembers; and fasteners for securing the ends of the pleat-formingmembers to a curtain such that a pleat-forming member, when attached toa curtain and secured by the fasteners, holds the curtain in apleat-shaped formation.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thepleat-forming members comprise rods.
 3. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a template for designating locations for attachment of thepleat-forming members on the curtain.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe template comprises a pattern on tissue paper.
 5. The system of claim3, wherein the template comprises a material having openings throughwhich the curtain may be marked.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein thetemplate includes a marking material thereon such that the markingmaterial may be transferred onto the curtain.
 7. The system of claim 3,wherein the marking material may be transferred to the curtain throughthe application of heat.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising ahanger unit adapted to be attached to a pleat-forming member for hangingthe curtain.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the hanger unit isintegral to the pleat-forming member.
 10. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a pleat cover for folding over an edge of the curtain. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the pleat cover is comprised of fabric.12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a stiffener.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the stiffener is comprised of stiff, wovenfabric.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the stiffener is comprisedof stiff, non-woven fabric.
 15. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising grommets for bolstering openings in the curtain andstiffener.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the fasteners comprisecapped pins for insertion through the curtain and into the pleat-formingmembers.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the fasteners furthercomprise washers for supporting the curtain on either side when thecapped pins are installed.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein eachpleat-forming member includes opposed supportive bases.
 19. The systemof claim 18, wherein the fasteners comprise screws for insertion throughthe curtain and into the pleat-forming members.
 20. The system of claim19, wherein the fasteners further comprise washers for supporting thecurtain on either side when the screws are installed.
 21. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the fasteners comprise clamps for attachment in acurtain with a pair of clamps being attached to opposite end of apleat-forming member.
 22. The system of claim 1, further comprising ahole-punching device for punching holes in said curtain.
 23. A method ofproducing a pleat in a curtain, comprising: folding the curtain into apleat shape; and securing the ends of a pleat-forming member to thecurtain with fasteners such that the pleat-forming member holds thecurtain in said pleat shape.
 24. The method of claim 24, furthercomprising: designating locations for attachment on the curtain; andsecuring ends of said pleat folding member to said locations.
 25. Themethod of claim 23, further comprising folding a pleat-cover over anedge of the curtain prior to folding said curtain and securing ends ofsaid pleat-folding member to said pleat cover and curtain.
 26. Themethod of claim 24, further comprising designating the locations using atemplate comprising a material having openings, through which saidlocations can be marked.
 27. The method of claim 23, wherein thesecuring step comprises: creating holes in the curtain at the locationsfor attachment; and inserting screws through the holes, where the screwsare received into the ends of the pleat-forming members.
 28. The methodof claim 23, wherein the securing step comprises: inserting capped pinsthrough the curtain and into using ends of the pleat-forming members.29. The method of claim 23, wherein the securing step comprises:clamping the curtain into the folded pleat formation using clampsattached to the ends of the pleat-forming members.
 30. A curtainpleat-producing system, comprising: hangers comprising a hooking portionand a pleat-forming portion, said pleat-forming portion; and fastenersfor securing ends of the pleat-forming portion such that thepleat-forming portions, when installed in the curtain and secured by thefasteners, hold the curtain in a series of pleat-shaped formations. 31.The system of claim 30, wherein the fasteners comprise capped pins forinsertion through the curtain and into the pleat-forming portion of thehangers.
 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the fasteners furthercomprise washers for supporting the curtain on either side when thecapped pins are installed.
 33. The system of claim 30, wherein thefasteners comprise screws for insertion through the curtain and into thepleat-forming portions of the hangers.
 34. The system of claim 33,wherein the fasteners further comprise washers for supporting thecurtain on either side when the screws are installed.
 35. The system ofclaim 33, wherein the hooking portion comprises at least one open hook.36. The system of claim 33, wherein the hooking portion comprises aclosed hook.
 37. A curtain having pleats formed therein, comprising: apleat forming member comprising a body separated by opposite ends, wherethe opposite ends are attached to the curtain; fasteners attached to theends of said pleat-forming member, wherein said fasteners secure theattachment of the pleat-forming member to the curtain and thereby holdthe curtain in a pleat shape; and a hanger member configured to attachto the body of the pleat-forming member and hang the curtain from acurtain rod by coupling the pleat-forming member to the curtain rod.